RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Apoptosis in lung injury and fibrosis
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 1631
OP 1638
DO 10.1183/09031936.00176807
VO 32
IS 6
A1 F. Drakopanagiotakis
A1 A. Xifteri
A1 V. Polychronopoulos
A1 D. Bouros
YR 2008
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/6/1631.abstract
AB Pulmonary fibrosis is characterised by fibroblast accumulation and alveolar epithelium denudation. Increased apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells and decreased apoptosis of fibroblasts may play an important role in the pathogenesis of disease. Inflammatory cells can modulate apoptosis of other cell types, both by removal of apoptotic debris and by cytokine production, thus preserving a pro-fibrotic environment. In the present review, some of the mechanisms by which apoptosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are described.